Department for Transport

Electric Scooters: Road Traffic Offences

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fines have beengiven out in relation to offences involving (1) trial e-scooters, and (2) private e-scooters, since the trials began.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued connected to the use of (1) trial e-scooters, and (2) private e-scooters, since the trials began.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many drivers' licence penalty points have beenissued in relation tothe use of (1)trial e-scooters, and (2) private e-scooters, since the trials began.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made as to whether the findings in the Emergency Medical Journal report E-scooter incidents in Berlin: an evaluation of risk factors and injury patterns, published on 7 June, that one in five riders were over the legal drink limit and only one in 100 were wearing a helmet,would be comparable in the UK.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) complaints e-scooter trial companies have received, and (2) journeys have been taken in total, since the start of the trials.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of motoring offences in the ‘Police Powers and Procedures, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin. However, information on the type of vehicle issued with a motoring offence, including a fine or penalty points is not collected. The Department for Transport does not hold information on any fines issued by the courts. Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were replaced by Civil Injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) in 2014. The Ministry of Justice holds data on CBOs.Neither the Department for Transport nor the Department for Health and Social Care hold data on e-scooter accidents which have led to admissions.The Department for Transport has made no assessment based on the Berlin data. Safety of this new mode of transport is very important and a key part of our trials and evaluation. The Department has in place a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation programme for the trials. A final report will be published in spring 2022. Any future rules for e-scooters may not be exactly the same as the rules in trials, but they will be based on the evidence gathered. This evaluation includes a range of data sources and approaches including data sharing arrangements with operators, surveys, interviews and focus groups with users and non-users and interviews with key local and national stakeholders. It will also take account of relevant international evidence.Approximately three million journeys have been completed by trial participants. Local authorities are responsible for running the trials and information on customer service engagement is not held by the Department.

High Speed Two: Public Participation

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they are having to ensure that HS2 Ltd and any of its sub-contractors meet their commitment to engage fully with the public.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The HS2 Community Engagement Strategy, published in 2017, explains how HS2 Ltd and its contractors will engage with communities and sets out its community commitments on public engagement. HS2 Ltd reports publicly on how well they are performing against these commitments. Five reports have been published to date and all are available on the HS2 website. The Department for Transport regularly monitors how HS2 Ltd is performing against its community engagement commitments. In his most recent six-monthly report to Parliament on 23 March 2021, the HS2 Minister provided an account of the activities that HS2 Ltd and the Department are deploying to strengthen its community handling approach. The Department continues to review this area to ensure that HS2 Ltd delivers on its commitments and is prepared to take further action as necessary.

Electric Scooters: Road Traffic Offences

Lord Shinkwin: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) penalties, and (2) suspension of drivers' licences, have been given to e-scooter riders for misuse in (a) designated trial zones, and (b) all other areas.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the number of motoring offences in the ‘Police Powers and Procedures, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin. However, information on the type of vehicle issued with a motoring offence is not collected.

Railways

Lord Ravensdale: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish the Integrated Rail Plan before the House rises for the summer recess.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We intend to publish the Integrated Rail Plan soon. Given the long-term significance of the IRP, it is important that Government carefully considers the priorities and evidence from metro mayors, council leaders, and representatives from the North and Midlands as well as the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment, ahead of setting out our plans.

Aviation

Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect to publish their aviation strategy; and whether this strategy will include plans (1) to integrate (a) air, (b) rail, and (c) highway, networks, and ports, and (2) to support the aviation sector in its recovery as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government is currently developing a future strategic framework for aviation which will be broad in scope and take account of the future challenges the sector faces. This will be published later this year.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Foreign Companies: Uighurs

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the involvement in the UK economy of firms complicit in the surveillance and monitoring of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Baroness Barran: The UK is committed to promoting the ethical development and deployment of technology in the UK and overseas. We are aware of a number of Chinese technology companies linked to violations taking place in Xinjiang, including use of high-tech “predictive policing” algorithms, DNA and voice sampling, and extensive use of surveillance cameras, and are monitoring the situation closely. Where China is not meeting its obligations under international law and falls below the standards required and expected of responsible governments and nation states, this government has and will continue to speak out publicly. The Government is committed to supporting UK businesses and academia to engage with China in a way that reflects the UK’s values and takes account of national security concerns. Last year we published guidance to help cutting-edge UK firms negotiate the ethical, legal and commercial questions they may encounter in China or when working with Chinese businesses, supporting safe and appropriate UK-China collaboration in digital and tech. The guidance provides firms with clear, up-to-date information and specialist support which reflect the UK’s values and take account of national security concerns.

Astronomy: Tourism

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefits, if any, of astro-tourism in places awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status.

Baroness Barran: The Government has not made any specific assessment of the economic benefits of astro-tourism in places awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status. Across the UK's 15 National Parks there are a number of locations that have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve or Dark Sky Discovery Site status. In 2017, VisitEngland published a Discover England Fund Research Summary Report titled ‘Making Great memories in England’s National Parks and countryside’. While it did not specifically mention dark sky reserves, this report highlighted some of the key trends in visitor trips to National Parks in England. Across the UK's 15 National Parks there are a number of locations that have been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve or Dark Sky Discovery Site status. The Government has no formal role in the Dark Sky designation process as it is non-governmental and non-statutory. The Independent Review of Landscapes recommended, ‘A night under the stars in a national landscape for every child.’ The Government has welcomed the Review and will respond in due course. We are committed to increasing opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the benefits of spending meaningful time in our national landscapes in England.

Destination Management Organisations: Reviews

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to progress the Destination Management Organisation review.

Baroness Barran: The Government launched the independent review of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) in England, led by Nick de Bois, in March. The review will examine how best to structure and support DMOs at a local and regional level in order to deliver the Government’s tourism policy priorities and support economic growth. The first phase of the review included a public consultation, stakeholder conversations, and a survey of DMOs. The review's second phase was formed of regional roundtables, taking place across England in June. Nick de Bois will evaluate his findings and submit a written report, including recommendations, to the DCMS Secretary of State in Summer 2021.

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the decision by EE to impose roaming charges on new UK mobile phone users when using their phones in Europe, what plans they have to negotiate a deal with the EU to eliminate roaming charges for UK customers.

Baroness Barran: Since the end of the Transition Period the UK is no longer part of Roam Like at Home so surcharge-free roaming for UK consumers in the EU is no longer guaranteed. During negotiations for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, the UK proposed continuation of reciprocal agreements between the UK and EU for surcharge free roaming, or a review clause to consider the need for these should roaming surcharges return for consumers. The EU did not agree to either of these proposals. Therefore, mobile operators are now able to impose a surcharge on UK consumers travelling abroad to the EU for their mobile phone usage. We advise that consumers check with their operators before travelling.

Home Office

Immigration: EU Nationals

Lord Green of Deddington: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many EU citizens are expected to achieve settled status in each calendar year from 2021 to 2026.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: A person granted pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can apply for settled status as soon as they qualify for this. Applicants who have completed five years’ continuous residence, or where other criteria for eligibility for settled status without the length of continuous residence are met, are eligible for settled status. The Home Office cannot assess a person’s eligibility for settled status until they make an application to the scheme, and therefore cannot state how many of those granted pre-settled status or who are yet to apply to the scheme will be eligible for settled status in the period sought.